Ivan Menjivar

Ivan Menjivar (born May 30, 1982) is a Salvadorean-Canadian retired mixed martial artist who formerly fought in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background Menjivar was born in La Paz, El Salvador, in 1982. Fleeing the corrupt government, Menjivar moved to Montreal with his family when he was 11. right before its merger with the UFC.

In his promotional debut, Menjivar dropped to bantamweight and faced Brad Pickett on December 16, 2010 at WEC 53, the final WEC event. After a back and forth fight, Menjivar lost via unanimous decision. The bout won Fight of the Night honors.

Ultimate Fighting Championship On October 28, 2010, WEC merged with the UFC. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.

Menjivar defeated Charlie Valencia via first round TKO on April 30, 2011 at UFC 129, after breaking his nose with a short elbow and following up with punches to finish the fight in 90 seconds.

Menjivar next faced Nick Pace on August 6, 2011 at UFC 133. The bout was held at a catchweight of 138 pounds after Menjivar failed to make weight. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Menjivar submitted John Albert with a first round rear naked choke on February 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 1. His performance earned him the Submission of the Night award.

Menjivar was expected to face Renan Barão at UFC 148 on July 7, 2012. However, Barão was pulled from the bout to face Urijah Faber for the Interim Bantamweight Title on the same card. Menjivar instead faced Mike Easton at the event and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Menjivar defeated promotional newcomer Azamat Gashimov via first round submission due to an armbar on November 17, 2012 at UFC 154. The performance earned Menjivar Submission of the Night honors.

Menjivar faced Urijah Faber on February 23, 2013 at UFC 157. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

Menjivar was expected to face Norifumi Yamamoto on September 21, 2013 at UFC 165. However, Yamamoto was removed from the bout and was replaced by Wilson Reis. Menjivar lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Menjivar faced Hatsu Hioki in a featherweight bout on March 1, 2014 at The Ultimate Fighter: China Finale. He lost the fight via unanimous decision, and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Personal life Menjivar and his ex-wife have two children, a daughter and son. With his current partner, they have a daughter, a son and a baby on the way. He balances MMA with a full-time job as a bus driver for the public transport of Montreal STM.

Championships and achievements Ultimate Fighting Championship Submission of the Night (Two times) vs. John Albert and Azamat Gashimov UFC.com Awards 2012: Ranked #7 Submission of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Hatsu Hioki Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter China Finale: Kim vs. Hathaway

Macau, SAR, China Loss

Wilson Reis Decision (unanimous) UFC 165

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Loss

Urijah Faber Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 157

Anaheim, California, United States Win

Azamat Gashimov Submission (armbar) UFC 154

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Loss

Mike Easton Decision (unanimous) UFC 148

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

John Albert Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win

Nick Pace Decision (unanimous) UFC 133

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Charlie Valencia TKO (elbow and punches) UFC 129

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Loss

Brad Pickett Decision (unanimous) WEC 53

Glendale, Arizona, United States Win

Aaron Miller Submission (triangle choke) W-1 MMA 5: Judgment Day

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Loss

Bart Palaszewski Decision (split) International Fight League: World Championship Semifinals

Portland, Oregon, United States Loss

Caol Uno Decision (unanimous) Hero's 7

Yokohama, Japan Win

Hideo Tokoro Decision (majority) Hero's 6

Tokyo, Japan Win

Justin Tavernini Submission (triangle choke) Ultimate Cage Wars 4

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Win

Taiyo Nakahara Decision (unanimous) Hero's 5

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Urijah Faber DQ (illegal kick to downed opponent) TKO 24: Eruption

Laval, Quebec, Canada Win

Joe Lauzon Submission (calf slicer) APEX: Undisputed

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Mika Shida Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Spiral 6

Tokyo, Japan Win

Brandon Carlson Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Edmonton

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Win

Ryan Ackerman TKO (punches) APEX: Genesis

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Loss

Matt Serra Decision (unanimous) UFC 48

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Mike French Submission (armbar) Ultimate Generation Combat 6

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Antoine Coutu TKO Ultimate Generation Combat 5

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Loss

Vítor Ribeiro Decision (unanimous) Absolute Fighting Championships 4

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Brandon Shuey Submission (kneebar) WFF 4: Civil War

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Win

Max Marin TKO MFC: Unplugged

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Win

Andy Social Submission (armbar) UCC Proving Ground 8

Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada Win

Shane Rice TKO (punches) UCC 11: The Next Level

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Jay R. Palmer KO (suplex) UCC Hawaii: Eruption in Hawaii

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Jeff Curran Decision (unanimous) UCC 10: Battle for the Belts 2002

Hull, Quebec, Canada Loss

Jason Black Submission (guillotine choke) UCC 8: Fast and Furious

Rimouski, Quebec, Canada Win

Andy Lalonde TKO (punches) UCC Proving Ground 4

Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada Loss

Georges St-Pierre TKO (punches) UCC 7: Bad Boyz

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Dany Ward KO (head kick) UCC Proving Ground 2

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada Win

Francois Flibotte Submission (rear-naked choke) UCC Proving Ground 1

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada Win

J.F. Bolduc Decision (split) UCC 4: Return Of The Super Strikers

Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada Win

David Guigui TKO (punches) UCC 3: Battle for the Belts

Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada